Abstract
A trial was established in 1989 to evaluate the performance of `McIntosh'/M.26 apple trees trained to central leader, Y-trellis or vertical axe training systems. In-row tree spacings were 1.2, 1.8 or 2.4m with the vertical axe and 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0m with the central leader and Y-trellis trees. Treatments were arranged as a split-plot design with system as the main plot treatment, in-row spacing as the sub-plot treatment, and six replications. In 1991, the vertical axe trees had higher yields than the other two systems. System had no effect on yield in 1992. Trees at 1.8m produced greater yield/ha than trees at 2.4m. Y-trellis trees produced more large fruit than central leader trees, while vertical axe trees produced the fewest large fruit. Trees at 1.2m produced fewer large fruit than at 1.8 or 2.4m in the vertical axe systems. In-row light interception increased as tree spacing dropped from 2.4 to 1.8m. Vertical axe trees intercepted more light within the row than the other two systems.
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